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SNL: Freedom of Parody

For years Saturday Night Live has made a political impact in both pop culture and society by pushing boundaries and bringing controversial topics to light. SNL tends to influence popular opinion by tackling ongoing cultural and societal conflicts in a humorous fashion. The show highlights societal faults and flaws, while giving the opportunity to laugh, but more importantly the opportunity to learn and improve. Most importantly, however, SNL pushes boundaries to send the message of how important freedom of speech is.

The show was created in 1975 and produced by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. It has created many stars, including Robert Downey Jr., Amy Poehler, Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, and many more. Their longest running skit genre, that SNL has become quite famous for, is their satirical take on politics and presidential elections. Arguably, political commercials stand at a crossroads between fact, fiction, and advocacy, much like propaganda. Furthermore, political skits on SNL take a substantive place in political discourse today.

It’s worth noting that the U.S. mainstream corporate media has been weaponized as a means of controlling public opinion by propagandizing the American public. SNL has done just so with its political skits by putting its own twist on a Hillary Clinton ad from the 2016 election. The ‘Hillary Campaign Ad’ skit features Kate McKinnon as Hillary. The parody ad knocks the Democratic nominee with a spoof but one that amusingly played up her vulnerability to her popular opponent Bernie Sanders. The parody captures how Hillary evolved to respond to Bernie Sanders’ popularity. In this millennial-pandering campaign ad, McKinnon’s Clinton has a positive message for young voters: “Luckily, I, Hillary Clinton, share all of your exact same beliefs … and I always have!” By the end of the sketch, McKinnon-as-Hillary has morphed into McKinnon-as-Hillary-as-Bernie. The intended audience reaches to millennials, who greatly supported Sanders during the primary season. However, the skit also intends to reach everyday Americans because SNL is a show that speaks to anyone and everyone.

The purpose of SNL’s daily and historical relevance to popular culture is to find out how not only its irreverent comedy consistently becomes noteworthy but also its ever changing cast, host, and musical guest list remains current and pertinent to the times. The show’s satirical take on politics might be the reason for the show’s popularity and longevity. In addition, the political skits performed by Alec Baldwin as Donald Trump, Kate McKinnon as Hillary Clinton, and Tina Fey as Sarah Palin provide comedic relief needed during these times of political unsteadiness. Nevertheless, SNL stands as a prominent television show, a cultural mainstay, and a symbol of America.